Van drivers still guilty of using mobile phones on the move

Over half (57%) of UK van drivers still physically check their mobile phones while driving, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles research. This is despite the most recent update to Regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, banning the use of all hand-held devices behind the wheel and an increased fine of £200 fine and six penalty points.

While the proportion of van drivers checking their phones has reduced by 7% versus 2023 – in which 64% of UK van drivers confessed to checking their phones – one in 10 still admit to not only doing so while driving, but doing so often.

Demonstrating the scale and ongoing prevalence of the issue among the UK’s van drivers, a recently released Department for Transport survey found that van drivers are more than twice as likely to use their mobile phones while driving, compared to all other types of driver.

The research confirmed that the decision to ignore mobile phone driving laws is not the result of a lack of available hands-free technology. In fact, 98% of respondents stated that their vans have in-built technology to support hands-free driving, with almost all (93%) using the technology at least once during the working day.

John Ricardo-Neto, head of product planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: 

While there’s still a large number of van drivers ignoring the mobile driving laws at some stage throughout the day, it’s positive to see that van drivers are, for the most part, using hands-free technology while on the road. Every new Volkswagen van is packed with useful in-cabin tech such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the ability of voice control, allowing drivers to maintain their eyes, and focus, on the road at all times.

Advertisement